Elsenham Crime Rate

Elsenham is a highly secure and tranquil village with an overall crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the area an excellent safety score of 91/100. Although there has been a 6.9% increase in crime over the past year, the absolute number of incidents remains very low for the population of 2,480. Most reported crimes in Elsenham are violence and sexual offences, though the community remains one of the safest in Essex. Residents benefit from a low-risk environment where property crime is particularly infrequent compared to regional and national benchmarks.

Crime in Elsenham

Crime in Elsenham is primarily composed of violence and sexual offences, which account for 43.0% of all reports. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 14.0% and vehicle crime at 9.7%. Together, these three categories represent the most significant portion of the area's 37.5 per 1,000 crime rate.

Property crime in Elsenham, encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 12.5 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, making it a relatively low-risk area for homeowners. Vehicle crime is the most prominent property offence, making up nearly 10% of total crime. Burglary is remarkably rare, with only 1 incident recorded annually, representing just 1.1% of the total. For residents, this data suggests that while the risk of a home break-in is extremely low, there is a moderate risk of vehicle-related offences and criminal damage, which should be the primary focus for property security.

Crime Trends in Elsenham

The crime trend in Elsenham is currently showing a slight increase, with total reported offences up by 6.9% year-over-year. While Elsenham remains one of the safest areas in the region, this upward movement suggests a need for continued community awareness.

Analysis of the monthly data shows that crime levels are generally very low and stable, but with occasional spikes. The rate reached its highest point in July 2025 at 6.9 incidents per 1,000 people. Other smaller peaks occurred in February (4.0), March (3.6), August (3.6), and October (3.6). The lowest crime rate was recorded in May 2025 at just 1.6. Despite the 6.9% annual increase, the monthly rates rarely exceed 4.0, which is still exceptionally low compared to the UK average. This suggests that the increase may be due to a small number of isolated incidents rather than a widespread systemic issue.

How To Keep Safe in Elsenham

The most common crime in Elsenham is violence and sexual offences, although the total number of cases is low. Maintaining personal safety and community vigilance are the best ways to keep the area secure.

To stay safe, it is recommended to use well-lit routes when walking at night and to be aware of your surroundings in public spaces. Since vehicle crime is the most prevalent property offence, always ensure your car is locked and no valuables are left inside, especially if parking overnight.

Even though burglary is extremely rare, it is still good practice to ensure your home is properly secured with high-quality locks and a visible security system. Participating in local neighbourhood watch schemes can also help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the village. Finally, reporting even minor incidents of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage can help local authorities maintain Elsenham's high safety standards and address the recent 6.9% increase in reported offences.

Crime in Elsenham follows clear temporal patterns, with different risks appearing at different times of the day. Theft-related offences are most common during the daylight hours, making up 37% of morning incidents and 46% of afternoon incidents. This likely reflects activity around local shops and the railway station.

As evening approaches, the crime mix shifts towards 'other' categories, including anti-social behaviour and public order, which account for 56% of incidents between 6pm and midnight. Vehicle crime is heavily concentrated in the night hours (12am - 6am), where it represents 54% of all reported crimes. This indicates that vehicles parked overnight are the primary target for opportunistic criminals in the area. Burglary remains extremely low throughout the day, with only minor peaks in the afternoon (5%) and evening/night (4%). Understanding these trends allows residents to be more vigilant about vehicle security at night and personal property during the day.

Elsenham is part of a very safe regional cluster. It is considerably safer than the larger nearby town of Stansted Mountfitchet, which has a crime rate of 73.5, and Great Dunmow at 68.8. However, it is slightly more active than the very small rural hamlets of Ugley Green, Henham, and Burton End, all of which report 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people. As a growing village with its own railway station and local amenities, Elsenham’s rate of 37.5 is remarkably low and reflects its status as a highly desirable and secure residential area.

Elsenham enjoys a very low property crime rate of 12.5 per 1,000 people, with burglary being almost non-existent. However, to maintain this high level of security, residents should consider proactive measures rather than traditional, reactive security. Standard CCTV and doorbell cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which is of limited use in preventing the incident in the first place.

The scOS operating system provides a more advanced, preventative solution. By using AI to monitor camera feeds in real-time, scOS can detect unauthorised presence at your property's boundary. In an area like Elsenham, where vehicle crime is the most frequent property offence (peaking at night), scOS can identify potential threats and trigger autonomous responses, such as activating lights or audio warnings. This stops a criminal before they can even touch your vehicle or home. For a community that values its safety, scOS offers professional-grade protection that prioritises prevention over simple recording.